Obituary

Criswell Patsy Lou Criswell entered the heavenly gate on Saturday, Dec. 14. She was born on March 26, 1931, to Lena and Bryan Dunagin in Stith, Texas. She was valedictorian of the 1947 graduating class of Merkel High School. Three years later, she graduated from Hardin Simmons University with the uncommon double major of English and math. In 1952, at the age of 21, she had a master's in education. Pat married Robert J. Criswell on May 25, 1952, and moved to Halfway shortly after where they raised their family. Pat was an intellectual and a thinker. She taught many young minds to reach beyond the norm yet she was ever so proud to be married to a farmer. She is survived by sisters Carol Whitaker and Beth Bradley; daughters J Carol Parsons and Ann Taylor; son-in-law Grant Taylor; grandsons Bryan and JPatrick Shuey, Blair and Michael Parsons; granddaughters Lauren Hooker and JoRobin Taylor; three great-grandsons, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Billy Dunagin; daughter, Robin Wilder; and son-in-law, Mike Parsons; and by 18 days, her beloved husband, the end of a wonderful love story. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, in the First Baptist Church Chapel with Mr. Lanny Voss officiating. A visitation will be held after the memorial service in the parlor. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. The family suggests memorials to the Mike Parsons Wellness Center, c/o Marbridge, P.O. Box 2250, Manchaca, TX 78652. Condolences may be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com.